The controversial Vaillancourt Fountain by a Canadian artist dismantled in San Francisco
Workers in San Francisco are dismantling one of the city's most controversial landmarks, the Vaillancourt Fountain, a concrete sculpture that has sat near the ocean for more than 50 years.
Created by Quebec artist Armand Vaillancourt, the brutalist structure has occupied the site since 1971, drawing both praise and criticism over the decades.
For the singer and his family, the removal is personal. Vaillancourt's son, Alexis Vaillancourt, said that they learned that this fountain was not included in the plans for the renovation of the park by chance.
Construction workers begin dismantling the Vaillancourt Fountain at Embarcadero Plaza, Monday, April 27, 2026, in San Francisco.
(Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
“My sister lives in California, she sent us one of the articles and the plan, and the source was not there,” he said.
Now 96, Armand Vaillancourt considers the piece the most important work of his career. His son said the family has been following the debate that has been going on for a long time about the future of the fountain and is considering the possibility of its removal, but they say the truth is still difficult.
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“Seeing the picture of the arresting staff.. I saw that before going to bed a few days ago,” Alexis Vaillancourt told Global News. “I took a while. It wasn't easy.”
Proponents have long argued that the fountain is a bold example of modern public art, reflecting future architectural trends of its time. Critics, however, described it as cruel and inappropriate for the waterfront.
Despite differing opinions, the building became a cultural landmark, hosting punk concerts, attracting skateboarders and even appearing in video games. It was also famous for being painted by Bono.
City officials say the well has deteriorated to the point of becoming a safety hazard, as it is expected to cost millions of dollars to repair it.
Jackie Fielder, who serves as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, was blunt in her assessment. “Now this is a very bad source, I think everybody can agree on that,” Fielder said.
After a lengthy legal battle, the city agreed to demolish the building instead of demolishing it.
It will be stored for three years while officials check whether it can be used elsewhere.
